GBCC Sustainable Business Series Conference 2024

The Event

The Sustainable Business Series is dedicated to sharing best practices, guidance, and knowledge aimed at enhancing business capabilities and advancing towards net zero. The Sustainable Business Conference will delve into the pivotal role of businesses in progressing towards net zero, while addressing the opportunities and challenges inherent in this transition.

Amidst prevailing economic pressures such as inflation and high interest rates, many businesses find themselves at a crossroads. The Sustainable Business Conference serves as a beacon of support, offering unique perspectives on how to navigate the journey towards net zero while ensuring resilience and sustainability in the face of adversity.

Who should attend?

• Business owners, managers, and leaders seeking to understand their company’s role in achieving net zero.
• Professionals aiming to construct a compelling business case for sustainability.

What to expect:

• Explore how businesses, regardless of size or sector, have embraced decarbonization through expert discussions.
• Gain insights from regional business leaders on the significance of net zero and how the business community is responding to the challenge.
• Learn about diverse business approaches and strategies for achieving net zero.
• Refine your business strategy and build a compelling case for net zero and environmental sustainability.

Stay tuned as speakers and panellists are confirmed who will enrich the discourse with their expertise.

Limited Availability:
Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today to ensure you don’t miss out on this essential event.

Keynote Speakers

Lucy Caldicott, Chief of Staff to Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

Lucy began her career working in international marketing roles for American Express and MoneyGram International before moving to the voluntary sector working in communications, marketing and leadership roles for a range of youth, health and international causes. In 2018, she set up a consultancy, ChangeOut, working with senior teams and boards to address issues of inequality and exclusion.

Between May 2018 – 2022 Lucy was a Labour councillor in the London Borough of Lambeth and Cabinet lead on Health and Adult Social Care. She was Labour’s General Election candidate in Dudley South in 2019.

Born and brought up in Coventry, after her councillor term of office ended, Lucy relocated home at last to the West Midlands. She began working as Director of Policy for Richard Parker’s West Midlands Mayoral Campaign in June 2023 before joining him in office as his Chief of Staff after he was elected Mayor in May 2024.

The Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Minister of State (Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 July 2024.

Education

Lord Hunt studied at Leeds University.

Political career

Lord Hunt was Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and joint Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between 2008 and 2010.

He previously served as a minister in the Department of Health and as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions.

He held several posts while in opposition, including:

• Shadow Spokesperson (Health and Social Care), 2018
• Shadow Spokesperson (Cabinet Office), 2017 to 2018
• Shadow Spokesperson (Education), 2017 to 2018
• Shadow Spokesperson (Health), 2012 to 2017
• Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, 2010 to 2017
• Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs), 2010 to 2012

He was raised to the peerage as Baron Hunt of Kings Heath in 1997.

Career outside politics

Lord Hunt was a Member of the General Medical Council from 2008 to 2024 and President of the Royal Society for Public Health from 2010 and 2018.

He was the first chief executive of the NHS Confederation from 1996 to 1997 and director of the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts (NAHAT) from its formation in 1990.

In 1993 he was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS.

Minister of State (Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The minister is responsible for:

• nuclear
• individual planning decisions
• all departmental business in the House of Lords

Conference Speaker

Rosa Wells, FE Principal and Dean for STEM, University College Birmingham

Rosa Wells is the FE Principal and Dean for STEM at University College Birmingham. Rosa is a highly experienced engineer who has dedicated her career to education and training. She is passionate about providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in STEM sectors. 

In her previous role, Rosa was leading the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology, working closely with engineering employers and education partners to establish a state-of-the-art learning factory in the city centre accessible to all engineering learners across the region. She now sits on the Board of Directors of the GBS IoT and has, more recently, been appointed Chair of the Institutes of Technology National Network.

Rosa works closely with leading sector bodies such as Women into Science and Engineering, STEM Learning and the Royal Academy of Engineering to ensure best practice is embedded within how the University works with learners, schools, and employers. This expertise and focus have been pivotal in the development of curriculum and provision across the University, who are leading in co-creation of courses with students and employers to ensure graduates meet, amongst other priorities, the green skills needs of our region now and in the future.

Rosa champions the power of education in the skills agenda and levelling up our region for wider societal benefit.

About the Sustainable Business Series:

The Sustainable Business Series is the Chamber’s flagship campaign on environmental sustainability, designed to support businesses in their transition to Net Zero. Through the dissemination of best practices, guidance, and insights, they aim to empower businesses to embrace sustainability and drive positive change.

Join them as they embark on the 2024/25 Sustainable Business Series, shaping the future of sustainable business practices and fostering a resilient and environmentally conscious business community.

Register now to be a part of this transformative event!

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